ESPC Strengths, Heather McKay

Strengths of a Social Planning Organization

1) The creation of a community to take problem-solving action.

Since the early 1940’s the Edmonton Social Planning Council (ESPC) has worked to create communities that could solve various problems. The Council itself could be defined as a community made up of staff, board members, and community volunteers interested in the common purpose of tackling social issues and effecting change in social policy.

The upcoming conference “Alberta Dis(Advantage)” for families and youth will provide an opportunity for participants to explore the many social and economic challenges facing Alberta children and youth.

The Renters Listening Forums provides a community forum for those people living in Edmonton that would like to share their stories with others about the rental housing crisis in Edmonton.


2) The creation of partnerships among various levels of organizations.

Much of the work carried out by the Edmonton Social Planning Council is done in partnership with other organizations. The Working Poor in Edmonton report that was done in partnership with Vibrant Communities Edmonton and the “Edmonton Life: Local Indicators for Excellence” report created in partnership with the City of Edmonton, United Way of Alberta Capital Region and several other major cities across the country.

Furthermore, the ESPC helped to form many organizations including; The United Way of the Alberta Capital Region, The John Howard Society, the Edmonton Mental Health Association and The Edmonton Coalition for Quality Child Care.


3) The provision of data/research/statistics to help to guide.

Many of the projects carried out by the ESPC include the use of data/research and statistics to help effect change. One example is a report titled “Two Paycheques Away: Social Policy and Hunger in Edmonton”. This report resulted from 816 face-to-face surveys of food bank users. The information gathered during these interviews provided valuable information for the creation of this report. A follow-up to this report “A Return Look at Two Paycheques Away: Social Policy and Hunger in Edmonton” interviewed another 200 food bank users.

Many other reports from the ESPC have been generated with the use statistics including “Standing Still in a Booming Economy: Finding Solutions for Low-income Working Households”, “Tracking the Trends: Social Health in Edmonton: 2007 Edition” and “Edmonton LIFE: Local Indicators for Excellence”.


4) The provision of lobby groups to influence those in “power”.

Lobby groups work towards influencing government to effect change. The Renters Listening Forum not only provides an opportunity for sharing, but the information collected is collated in order to be presented to government representatives and those in senior decision-making positions of all three levels of government.

Other projects of the ESPC that have resulted in reports have been used to try and lobby the government. Both “Two Paycheques Away: Social Policy and Hunger in Edmonton” and “Standing Still in a Booming Economy: Finding Solutions for Low Income Working Households” are examples of reports that have been used to try and influence government. The second report outlined specific recommendations to government for change in the hopes of influencing policy.


5) People unable to actively be involved can still benefit from the process.

Much of the work done by the ESPC utilizes the knowledge of a smaller population that will provide benefits to the larger. An example of this is the report “Two Paycheques Away: Social Policy and Hunger in Edmonton”. While this report interviewed over 800 food bank users, any change that results from this report will benefit all those with low incomes.

The same can be said about the Renters Listening Forum. Any change that results from the information gathered can benefit all those in similar situations as those who contributed to the forum.

There can be a lot of stigma attached to poverty and those who may not feel comfortable participating in an open forum or carrying out a face-to-face interview can still benefit from those who are willing to speak about the subject.


6) People who feel intimidated/afraid/insecure may still be represented via statistics and thus helped with sensitive issues (ie. HIV/AIDS, abuse, sexual orientation)

The ESPC uses statistics in many of their reports. These statistics can effect change but also provide a level of anonymity to those who may not feel comfortable talking about their particular situation.

Source: http://www.edmspc.com/.